Coin-operated fortune-telling machine



(No Model.)

Patented Feb. 6, 1894.

\A/I NEEEEEE ml mmcun u'mmanuume UNITED STATES PATENT FRED F. DENNIS, OFWORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

COIN-OPERATED FORTUNE-TELLING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 514,418,- datedFebruary 6, 1894.

Application filed October 30, 1893 Serial No. 489,509. (No model.)

To (all whom, zit may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED F. DENNIS, of Worcester, in the county ofWorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Coin-Operated Fortune-Telling Machines, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention has relation to coin-controlled machines, and has for itsobject the production of a simple and inexpensive device whereby afortune or wheel -of-fate wheel may be operated by the gravity of acoin, and stop at an uncertain point or stage in its revolution todisplay a phrase or motto.

The invention consists of the improved machine or contrivance which Iwill now proceed to describe and claim. A

Reference is to be had to the annexed drawings and to the letters markedthereon, forming a part of this specification, the same lettersdesignating the same parts or features, as the case may be, whereverthey may occur.

Of the drawings: Figure 1, is a front view of the invention parts beingshown in section, and parts being represented as broken out. Fig. 2, isa transverse vertical sectional view of the same.

In the drawings: a, designates a case of any suitable form and size inwhich is journaled a wheel 5, so that it may revolve freely.

The wheel b, is provided on its periphery with a series ofbuckets orreceptacles c, from each of which there extends an inclined chute orguide d. Above the wheel but to one side of j the center of gravitythereof there is arranged a chute e, communicating with a slot f, formedin the case said chute being so arranged that when a coin is placed inthe slot f, it will be directed into one of the buckets c, of the wheel,and by its gravity turn said wheel, the coin being thrown out ordischarged when the bucket reaches the lowest point in its travel. Onthe wheel at a suitable point there is arranged a card-board or platecontaining a series of fortune or other phrases, one for each bucket,which are adapted to be displayed at an opening g, in the easing saidopening being sufficiently extensive only, so that a single phrase canbe seen therethrough.

The operator having put a coin in the slot f, the wheel will be turnedan indefinite number of times and when it comes to a full stop thephrase seen through the opening will be the operators fortune.

In order to insure the wheel stopping so as to fully display one of thephrases or mottoes at the opening g, I have provided a magnet h, whichis so arranged as that the projecting end of the inclined guide or chuted, will pass in close proximity thereto. When the wheel is about to stopif its momentum is barely sufficient to carry the approaching end. ofthe chute d, past the magnet the force will be suiiicient to bring thenext following up to the magnet which will stop it, with the projectingend directly opposite the pole of the magnet, as shown in Fig. 1. Inthis way I am enabled to stop the wheel at regular intervals though atunpredetermined points. This magnet, which by the way, might be anelectro-magnet or a permanent magnet, is an important feature of theinvention.

The operation of the invention has been so fully set forth in connectionwith an explanation of its construct-ion, as not to need furtherdescription.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described a Way ofconstructing and using the same, though without attempting to set forthall of the forms in which it may be made or all of the modes of its use,it is declared that what is claimed is 1. A coin-operated machinecomprising in its construction a wheel provided with a series of bucketson its periphery each of the buckets being provided with a projectingchute, a magnet arranged in close proximity to the projecting parts ofthe buckets,a motto bearing plate or card secured to the wheel, anopaque covering for said plate or card, provided with an opening throughwhich inscriptions on the card or plate may be displayed, as set forth.

2. A coin'operated machine comprising in its construction a wheelprovided with a series of buckets on its periphery each of the bucketsbeing provided With a projecting,

chute and a, magnet arranged in close prox- '5 imityto theprojectingparts of thebuckets as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses, this 6th day of October, A. D.1893'.

" FRED F. DENNIS Witnesses:

, LOUISE C. DEARDEN,

ALICE E. DENNIS.

